"Strong cultures are important for small businesses because prospective employees are often comparing them to their larger, more well-known competitors," Susan Lucas-Conwell, global CEO of Great Place to Work, told us.

25. Insomniac Games

Aside from having access to unreleased video games, employees at Insomniac Games have 55 days of paid time off and breaks "for massage therapy, a quick happy hour or a silly celebration," Lucas-Conwell told us.

Other benefits include company-wide royalty bonuses and "movie days," where the company pays for tickets and popcorn.

And there's ample opportunity to play video games. The employee writes: "Everybody, including contract workers, have a say in the gameplay and design. Weekly play tests give opportunity for feedback and adjustments to the project."

24. Conductor, Inc.

Conductor, Inc.

CEO: Seth Besmertnik

Why it's great:

Employees at Conductor, Inc., an SEO technology company, gets free food at regular gatherings on Tuesdays and Fridays and on Hack Day, they're able to "flesh out an idea that makes their product, office, or workplace better," Lucas-Conwell said.

An employee posted on Glassdoor that "Conductor is a place where everyone's opinion, contributions, and work truly matters to the leadership team."

23. Professional Placement Resources, LLC

If you work at Professional Placement Resources, you'll likely have a lot of meetings on Jacksonville's beach in Florida since upper management prefers to conduct Monday "8:31 meetings" and leads workouts here, Lucas-Conwell told us.

20. Paramount Staffing

This 120-person industrial staffing firm has very low turnover and it's because the work culture is focused on team building and regular "fun contests," Lucas-Conwell said. Every year, the company also invites all employees and their one guest to stay overnight in Chicago for the company's annual Spring Fling.

Furthermore, employees that are purchasing a home for the first time will receive $5,000 from Paramount and employees' children are eligible to receive scholarships for college, Akhtar reported.

19. Dixon Schwabl

Mike Schwabl, president of Dixon Schwabl, bought his employees pizza when the weather outside was bad.Twitter

CEO: Mike Schwabl

Why it's great:

Employees at this small advertising agency participate in a lot of regular, fun activities from barbeques on the patio to weight-loss competitions, Lucas-Conwell said. And the company also regularly conducts off-site retreats to allow employees to brainstorm what else should be incorporated into the company culture. These ideas are tested out in monthly events.

18. Navigator Management Partners

Navigator Management Partners

CEO: David Schoettmer

Why it's great:

New hires for Navigator Management Partners get taken out for lunch by every member of the executive team. Aside from this, the company also provides $25,000 in tuition reimbursement, Lucas-Conwell told us.

To make sure work culture is constantly improving, the company has a committee to help employees work in the department or specialization they prefer.

17. Assurance Agency, Ltd.

Assurance Agency, Ltd.

CEO: Tony Chimino

Why it's great:

This 265-person independent insurance brokerage has a "Shared Success" bonus plan "that accounts not just for business performance metrics, but cultural objectives like sending thank you notes and participation in wellness initiatives," Lucas-Conwell said.

15. Kahler Slater

Kahler Slater

CEO: George Meyer and Jim Rasche.

Why it's great:

Kahler Slater is a Milwaukee-based design firm that hosts regular office events at 4 p.m. to promote employees mingling with one another and encourage all workers to be active in the community, Lucas-Conwell said.

14. Akraya, Inc.

If you work for this small recruiting agency in Sunnyvale, California, you get "twice-a-month home cleaning services, waffle breakfasts, company shopping sprees — $100 and one hour at the local mall — as well as the $5,000 and extra week PTO employees enjoy on their five year anniversary," Lucas-Conwell said.

12. City of Rancho Cordova

Akhtar reported that Rancho Cordova hosts "Office of New Ideas" twice a month, "where employees and community members can present their suggestions and proposals before senior city officials. For exceptional performance, staff is awarded city 'stock' certificates, which are backed by agency-bought bonds and redeemable for cash."

9. McMurry

McMurry is a family-owned marketing firm that offers employees unlimited PTO, welcomes children at the office when day care isn't available, hosts a take your Dog to Work day, and generous gifts for weddings and births, Lucas-Conwell said.

8. Root, Inc.

The company displays employees' photos on the wall in the office.Glassdoor

CEO: Jim Haudan

Why it's great:

To celebrate being ranked on Great Place to Work, this small consulting firm gave all its employees "six hours extra PTO, six dollars, six scratch tickets, and then dividing them into six teams each with a $1,000 starting budget to compete in a philanthropic challenge, which ultimately raised $24,000," Lucas-Conwell told us.

7. Walker & Dunlop

Employees at this commercial real estate firm has programs that include "a generous bonus pool, an annual check-in for each employee with HR, and cash incentives for exercising, monthly lunch meetings for 6 to 8 employees to engage with managers, 48 hours PTO per year to volunteer, and support to relocate to any of W&D's office locations," Lucas-Conwell said.

Furthermore, employees who have been with the company for three years receive $2,000, five years will get $3,500 and 30 years will earn $20,000, Akhtar reported.

6. Talent Plus, Inc.

Aside from unlimited vacation time, employees at this HR consulting firm are judged based on their individual accomplishments with the "talent card," where each employee has a different set of professional growth goals and "awards are highly personalized," Lucas-Conwell said.

4. Studer Group

Healthcare consulting firm Studer Group "makes family a priority," where new moms and dads get paid leave after the birth of a child and on an employees birthday, they receive a $75 gift card and $25 on their childrens' birthdays, Akhtar said.

3. Badger Mining Corporation

You only have to work 30 hours per week at this mining company because that's considered full-time. You also get unlimited sick and personal days, four weeks paid vacation, an annual company-subsidized weekend away and your children are given at least $1,500 in scholarships to pursue higher education, Lucas-Conwell said.

2. Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation

New hires at this Alabama-based aerospace engineering and analysis firm receive an hour ethics training session with the President of the company, generous paid time off and flexible schedules, Lucas-Conwell told us.

The company also participates in tuition reimbursement for employees who decide to go back to the classrooms.

1. Ruby Receptionists

Ruby Receptionists, a virtual receptionist company based in Portland, has a "fostering happiness" philosophy where employees get funding for art classes, book clubs and yoga sessions.

"We have long been creating a unique and rewarding workplace culture that deserves recognition," said Jill Nelson, founder and CEO of the company, told Akhtar. "We all come to work each day with a real passion and purpose for the work we do — and, more importantly, for the people we work with."